Stearns County’s Felony Domestic Violence Court supervises a core group of the most dangerous repeat felony domestic violence offenders with close judicial and probationary supervision enforced by strict conditions of release, surveillance, weekly offender accountability check-ins directly to the court and utilizing an extended slate of victim support services to enhance victim safety.

Intervene with offenders who continue to be re-arrested/charged with new felony domestic violence offenses

Recognize that most offenders have children with their victims

Enhance traditional probation supervision/court intervention which has not eliminated the violence of these identified offenders

Targeted handling of these repeat offenders through a specialized team of domestic violence-trained professionals enhances victim and child safety as well as increases batterer accountability through knowledgeable, timely and intensive supervision plus intentionally coordinated services to their victims and children. Specialized responses are quick, powerful and under the direct control and authority of a district court judge to whom offenders personally report on a weekly basis during their time in the program.

Reducing domestic violence requires expertise, consistency, and coordination by professionals dedicated to improving the safety of victims and their families.

Common dynamics of repeat domestic violence offenses:

Court orders for protection

Chemical dependency

Counseling for victims and children

Elder issues when abuse has been life-long

Vocational services

Potential divorce situations/custody battles

Medical treatment/payment issues

Mental health issues

Housing and transportation

Child support assistance

Intentional coordination of defendant supervision plus timely, planned, and multi-faceted victim services give victims and their children a safety net. A specialized, trained response also makes the most efficient use of limited resources.

Specialization in this complicated area of criminal offender accountability works.

Expertise, consistency, & coordination among team members ensures efficiency and accountability.

Team handling increases information flow and therefore victim safety through knowledge of dangerousness.

The same judge/prosecutor/probation agent team for regular (weekly) court reviews discourages repeat offenses.

The same team working with victims and families increases confidence and alleviates stress for the family.

Repeated violations are reduced when sanctions for noncompliance are prompt, court-directed, and certain.

A speedy, effective, consistent and coordinated court response to domestic violence – especially for repeat offenders – will increase public confidence in the judicial system’s ability to protect women and children.